Our first "prediction" was that HP would "discontinue the 3600, 3700 AND 3800 series by the end of the year."

How’d we do? Dead on, it appears. With the release of the 3900 series and plans for at least two new lines of iPAQs, the older models have seen their last manufacturing days.

Our second "prediction" was that HP would release "two new XScale iPAQs, the 3935 and 3970," devices that we understood to be "nearly identical to the 3800 series." As far as specifics we added that "they’ll have XScale processors running at 400MHz and improved color screens, and their Secure Digital slots will finally support SDIO."

How’d we do? Right on the mark, it seems.

Next, we wrote that "HP will match Toshiba’s e310 with a thin model of its own, the iPAQ 2200 Pocket PC." We also stated that this would be the first iPAQ "…not to support current sleeves."

How’d we do? Again, we’ll have to wait and see. But while this device has yet to be officially announced (and we’ve yet to see any pictures of this proposed unit), several sources close to HP have confirmed this information as accurate. There’s also rumors of a W1000 device.

Our fourth "prediction" was a big one. We wrote that "HP will try to blow away the competition with a new XScale-based 5000 series iPAQ. New features will include biometric security, a removable lithium polymer battery, and integrated wireless, including GSM, GPRS and CDMA models." We also wrote "there’ll be a fingerprint pad under the directional pad in one of the upcoming 5000 series models."

How’d we do? Well, there are still doubters out there, but now that pictures are surfacing (including the one shown at the top of this article from the Dutch Pocket PC Club) it’s starting to look like our crystal ball was accurate again, except for our guess of an August release. It seems that HP will release six new iPAQ models: H5110, H5130, H5135, H5450 and H5455.

Our final "prediction" was that "HP will release an iPAQ Pocket PC with a VGA display sometime next year."

How’d we do? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see on this one.

Overall, we think we did pretty well, but the jury is still out on a few items. So, we’ll continue to keep you up to date as new information surfaces.